Storage-battery locomotive.



STORAGE BATTERY LOCOMOTIVE.

APPLlcArloN man :uw 28.1911.

EATON.

Patented `Feu 12, 19m

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

I INVENToR Georga/yfalon f III ATTORNEY wlTNEsss:

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G. M. EATON.

STORAGE BATTERY LOCOMOTIVE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28.1917. 1,256,214. Patented Feb.12,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lNvENoR AroRNEY George. M fa ton WITNESSES:

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@FFCEO GEORGE lVI. EATON, OF ITTSBULU PENNSYLVANIA, ASSGNOR TO WESTING-IOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING CGYIIPNY, L CCRORATICN G3? FENNSYLVANIA.

STCRLGE-BATTERY LOCOJIGTIVE.

Application fil-:il July 28, 191'?.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, G'ionon lvl. EATON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh.y in the county of Allegheny and State ot' Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful mprovemnit in Storage- Battery Locomotives, et' which the ollo ring is a specification.

My invention relates to industrial locomotives and particularly to storage-battery locomotives that are adapted tor service in mines cr other industrial proportie @ne object of my invention is to provide a storage-battery locomotive o low height that shall be simple, rugged and relatively inexpensive in construction and be conveniently operated from a storage battery or from an external supply circuit at will.

Another object of my invention is to provide a storage-battery locomotive oi the above-indicated character that shall embody a propelling truck, an auxiliary low-height truck for supporting a storage battery and an articulated connection for joining the two trucks, whereby the propelling trucl may be conveniently disconnected trom the auxiliary trucl and be operated as a unitary locomotive.

More specifically, my invention emhodies a locomotive provided with a proirielling truck, an auxiliary low-height truck having an articulated connection to the propelling truck, a storage-battery section located above the auxiliary truck and having a portion ot' the weight thereof supported on the propelling truck in a manner to insure good riding and tracking characteristics in the locomotive.

Storage-battery locomotives are now in service that eml'ody two propelling trucks and a storage-battery section locited therebetween. lziowever, locomotives ot the above type are objectionable because the stresses and strains of the locomotive are transmitted through the storage-l attery section and because the propelling truck may not he disconnected from the battery section to be operated, as a unitary locomotive, `rom a trolley supply circuit.

In a locomotive provided with a propelling and an auxiliary trucl; and constructed in accordance with my invention, the two trucks embodied therein are joined by an articulated connection in order to avoid transmitting` the tractive eifort of the pro- Specicaton of Letters IPatent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

anni no. 183,338.

peiling truck through the storage-battery section and to permit disconnection ol the two trucks so that the propelling` truck may be operated as a unitary locomotive when supplied with energy from an external supply circuit. Morcover, the major portion ot the storage-battery section is loco. et above the auxiliary low-height truck in order to extend but slightly over the height of the propelling truck and is provided with means or supporting a portion oi the weight thereof on the propelling truck in such manner as to maintain the storage-battery section in correct posit-ion relative to the two trucks of the locomotive.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a locomotive constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. "2 is a side elevational view of the locomttive illustrated in Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line lI--lll in Fig. l; 7Eig. d is a plan view o1n4 a modified locomotive; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view ot the locomotive illustrated in Fig. 1l, and Figs. G and 7 are detail views illustrating a modified means for supporting a porton olf the weight of the battery section on the propelling truck.

e'lerring to Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, a locomotive l embodies a main propelling truck 2, an auxiliary idle low-height trucli: 3, an articulated connection 4l for joining the' two trucks 2 and 3, and a storagebattery container section 5 which is located over the auxiliary truck The propelling truck embodies two pairs oit driving wheels G and 7 which are respectively connected to motors S and 9. The auxiliary truck 3 embodies a body portion 10 and two pairs of wheels ll and l2 which are preferably olt a smaller diameter than the diameter of the driving wheels G and 7 which are associated with the propelling truck 2. r:the battery section 5 is joined to the auxiliary truck by means ot' the pivotal connection 18 which serves as a means for restraining the battery section from movement relative to the auxiliary truck in a. lateral and in a longitudinal direction. rlhe bzttery section is provided with two projections ll-a and lei" which are disposed at the sides oi the bar l-/i ot the articulated connection Llto restrain the battery section from movement, relative to the articulated connection, in a lateral direction.

serves to support a portion of tl thereof on the propelling truck 2 and thus relieve the articulated connection of any substantial portion of the weight of the battery section. The three-point support for the battery section, embodying the sine bearings 17 and 18 and the projection 15, insures an equitable weiOht ot' distribution the battery section and improves the riding and tracking characteristics ot the locomotive. lt is apparent that, it so desired, the battery section may be provided with a one-point support on the auxiliary truclr 3 and twopoint support on the propelling truck 2.

The articulated connection 4 is preferably joined to the auxiliary truck 3 at a pointA near the center' thereof in order to avoid slrewing tendencies and thus insure good riding qualities 01"' the truck, but it is to be understood that it is not essential that the articulated connection be joined to the auxn iliary truck at this point, as the saine ma be attached to the truck at any point along the longitudinal center line thereof.

Referring to Fios. 4 and 5, a locomotive 2O embodies a propelling truck 21, an auxiliary low-height truck 22, an articulated connection 23 for joining the two trucks 21 and 22, and a storage-battery section 24 which is located above the auxiliary truck 22. rEhe propellingtruck 21, which is similar to the propelling` truck disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided with two pairs of driving wheels 25 and 26 which are respectively associated with propelling motors 27 and 2S. The auxiliary truck 22 embodies a body section 29 for supporting a portion of the weight of the storage-battery section V24, and two pairs of wheels 30 and 31. The propelling truck 2l and the auxiliary truck 22 are connected together, near their adjacent ends, by means or" the articulated connection 23.

The storage-battery section 24 is joined to the auxiliary truck 22 by means of a pivotal connection 32, and a portion of the weight thereof is supported on the auxiliary truck by means of side bearings 3B and 34 of any well-known type. The side bearings 33 and 34 serve substantially to relieve the pivotal connection 32 of the weight of the battery section 24. Moreover, the storage-battery section is provided with an extension 35 Jfor supporting a portion oi the weight or the battery section 24 on the propelling truck 21, A link 36, which is joined to the propelling truck 21 by the pivotal connection 40, and

vis connected to the projection 35 by the pivotal connection 41, is provided for co- 'neas operating with the pivotal connection 32 between the battery section and the auxiliary trucl; to maintain the battery section in correct position relative to the propelling and auxiliary trucks 21 and 22. The projection 85 from the battery section 24 trictionally engages the propelling' truck 21 in order to permit the iree movement of the battery section relative to the propelling truck and thus prevent the transmission ot.' any extreme stresses and strains through the battery section. Any desired weight distribution of the battery section on the truck 21 may be obtained by varying the length ot the projection 35. rElie pivotal connection serves to prevent movement of the battery section in a lateral or in a longitudie nal `irection relative to the auxiliary truck f he linlr 36, associated with the protruclr .2l and the battery section 24, .es to prevent lateral movement orn the oartery section relative to the propelling truck 21.

The battery section 24 is provided with a three-point support on the propelling and the auxiliary truck. ln the modiiication illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 ot the drawing, the side bearings 33 and 34 serve as a twopoint support tor the battery section onthe auxiliary truck 32, and the projection 35 serves as a one-point support for the battery tion on the propelling` truck 21. referring to Figs. G andV 7, a modiiied means for supporting' a portion oftheA weight Y of the battery section on the propelling truck and for maintaining' the same in correct position relative to the two trucks is illustrated, and, in describing` this modfication, reference characters corresponding to those employed in connection with Figs. 4 and L will be used to designate similar parts, llie battery section is provided with an tension 3?' which projects within a pocket formed in the propelling truck 21. llhe Yntension 3? is disposed in the pocket 39 in a ira-nner to prevent any lateral movement tb eoi2 but to permit a limited longitudinal movement, as is indicated in Figs. 6 and 7.

Modifications in the structure and arrangement and location of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention, and such modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

l claim as my invention:

rality of'motors associated therewith, a fourwheel idle truck of low height, and an articulated connection between said trucks, of an auxiliary section located above and pivotally connected to the truck ot low height, and means for maintaining the auxiliary section alined with the two trucks.

3. In a locomotive, the combination with two trucks having an articulated connection therebetween, of an auxiliary sectior locatedl over, and supported on, the iirst truck, and means associated with said section for maintaining the same in correct relation to the two trucks and for relieving the first truck of a portion of the weight of the auxiliary section.

4L. In a storage-battery locomotive, the combination with a propelling` truclr, an auxiliary truck, and an articulated connection between said trucks, ot' a battery section located above, and pivotally connected to, the auxiliary truck, and means associated with the pivotal connection between the battery section and the auxiliary truck tor maintaining the battery section in correct relation to the two trucks.

5. In a locomotive, the combination with two trucks having an articulated connection therebetween, ot an auxiliary section located over one of said trucks, and means associated with the two trucks tor maintaining the auxiliary section alined with the two trucks.

6. In a locomotive, the combination with two trucks having an articulated connection therebetween, ot an auxiliary section so located over the first truck as to extend but slightly over the height of the second truck, and means including a pivotal connection between one oi' said trucks and the auxiliary section for maintaining the auxiliary section in correct relation to the two trucks.

7. In a storage-battery locomotive, the combination with a truck having propelling motors mounted thereon, an auxiliary truck, and an articulated connection between said trucks, of a battery section pivotally supported on said auxiliary truck and laterally restrained by means et said articulated connection, and means for supporting a portion of the weight of said battery section on the propellingtruck.

S. In a storage-battery locomotive, the combination with a propelling truck, an auxiliary weight-carrying truck, and an articulated connection between said trucks, ot a battery section located above said auxiliary truck and having a pivotal connection to said auxiliary truck and laterally restrained by means ot' the articulated connection between the two trucks.

f). In a storage-battery locomotive, the combination with two trucks having an articulated connection therebetween, of a battery section having a pivotal connection to one of said trucks and' laterally restrained by means ot' the articulated connectionbetween the two trucks.

10. In a locomotive, the combination with two trucks having an articulated connection therebetween, oit' a section having a pivotal connection to the first truck and laterally restrained by means of the articulated connection between the two trucks, and means ior supporting a portion of the weight ot said section on the second truck.

1l. In a locomotive, the combination with a propelling` truck, an auxiliary truck, and means tor connecting said trucks, of a battery section mounted on said trucks, means 'for restraining the battery section near one end thereot' :t'rom movement in a lateral and in a longitudinal direction and for restraining the battery section near the other end thereoie Yfrom movement in a lateral direction.

In a storage-battery locomotive, the combination with a main truck equipped with propelling means, or' an auxiliary truck, a storage-battery container section supported on said trucks, and means forming an articulated connection between said trucks independently of said container section and coperating` with means on said container section to control the lateral movement of the latter'.

13. In a locomotive, the combination with a plurality of trucks, and an articulated connection for joining said trucks, of an auxiliary section, and means associated with said connection for restraining the auxiliary section from movement relative to said trucks.

lil. In a storage-battery locomotive, the combination with a propelling truck, an idle low-height truck, and an articulated connection between said trucks, of a battery section located above said low-height truck and extending but slightly over the heightl et the propelling truck, means for supporting a portion ot' the weight of the battery section on each ot' said trucks, and means for restraining the battery section from movenient relative to one ot' said trucks in a longitudinal and in a lateral direction.

15. In a storage-battery locomotive, the combination with a propeiiing truck, an idle low-height truck, and an articulated connection between said trucks, of a battery section located above said low-height truck and extending` but slightly over the height of the propelling truck, means for supporting a portion of the weight of the battery section on each of said trucks, means for restraining` the battery section from movement relative to one ot said trucks in a lateral and in a horizontal direction, and means for restraining the battery section from movement in a lateral direction relative to the articulated connection between the trucks.

1 6. ln a storage-battery locomotive, the con'ibination with a plurality of trucks and an articulated connection between said trucks, of a battery section located above one of said trucks, means for restraining said batterv section Jfrom movement relative to a portion of the locomotive in a lateral and in a longitudinal direction, and means for restraining the battery section from movement in a lateral direction relative to another portion of said locomotive.

l?, n a storage-battery locomotive, the combination with a main truck equipped 'with propelling means, an auxiliary truel of lower height than the main truck, an articulate draft connection between said trucks, a storage-battery container section having the major portion thereoitl disposed above, and supported by, the auxiliary truck and also having mea, s whereby aV portion of the Weight thereof is transmitted to said main truck, and means whereby the lateral movement of said container section is C0ntrolled.

18. ln a storage-battery locomotive, the combination with a main truck equipped with propelling means, of an auxiliary truck oflower height than said main truck, a storage-battery container section pivotally connected to each of said trucks and having the major portion thereof disposed above said auxiliary low-height truck, and means forming an articulated draft connection between said trucks independently of said container section and cooperating With means on said container section to control the lateral movement of the latter.

ln testimony whereof, Il have hereunto subscribed my name this 23rd day of July 1917.

GEORGE. M. EATON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing* the Commissioner of atents, Washington, I). C. 

